I need to settle my membership status in SSS the soonest possible time. Based on the official website of Social Security System, self-employed individuals such as cigarette vendors, farmers, nannies and writers who are earning a minimum of P1000 a month are qualified to become members. Being a full-time yaya/maid, I’m earning P1,099 a month plus a P20 daily budget for merienda, so this means that I can join. Yey!

The requirements are simple. But knowing the processing system in the Philippines, I’m quite sure this is going to be bloody difficult. I don’t mind about the long lines and the super slow process. It’s the grumpy, disrespectful and notorious government employees that bother me. Okay, the last time I went to Manila City Hall, the first clerk was really professional but the next staff was such a b*tch so I’ve almost gotten myself into another fight.

That’s the main problem. I have no idea why these government employees are like that. Perhaps, their parents did not teach them good manners or respect for fellow human beings. Whatever. They just suck big time. Don’t they understand that citizens like me who are “no-read-no-write” are afraid to fill up legal documents? I know it’s my fault that I didn’t even finish grade one. But do you really have to yell at me just because I don’t know where to put my signature?

Anyway, I just need to fill up a form called SSS Form RS-1. First, I will have to explain my situation. I’ve been an active member of SSS for almost 6 years and from a regular employee, I would like to change my employment status to self-employed.  From proofreader to nanny. Why? Because I realized that being inang-yaya is a more fulfilling job than spotting typographical and layout errors in a book.

Do they need to know the details? Is it not enough that I have the money for the monthly contributions? Do I have to share the story of my life? Are they interested to know that I am AWOL from my previous company? Is that a big issue? I’m thinking if I will be required to go back to my previous company and get some documents or to get their signature? Oh my gawd! I can’t go back.

Wait a minute! Nanny does not fall under the category of self-employed! F8ck.

Truth is, I do not plan to lie. This is going to be a life-time benefit for me and my beneficiaries, I better do it the right way. I’m going to fill up the form as accurate and as precise as possible. Plus I’m going to submit all the necessary documents and if I have to, I will also go back to my previous employer to settle whatever needs to be settled. It’s embarrassing that I was AWOL but I’m not the type of person who runs away from my wrong-doings.

My deepest concern is how much tax will I have to pay to BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue)? Freelancers do not have a fixed income. In the US, writers pay for what they call estimated monthly earnings. How about in the Philippines? Quite frankly, I feel that it’s unfair because my employers are non-Filipino. I don’t know the governing laws concerning this but my point is that I feel that I belong under the OWF category.

What do you think? But of course, I’m going to pay my taxes. It’s just complicated. Like for this month let’s say I earned P8000. It means that I’m going to pay a 10% tax of P800. But what if during the following months, there are no writing assignments for me? That would mean no money, no income, no earnings. But I still need to pay taxes? That’s ridiculous. And don’t even think of suggesting that I hire a lawyer. Hello! Are you nuts? Lawyers are expensive.

Sigh. This is really going to be bloody difficult.